Reminiscences: The Moss Peregrinations

House No. 6

House No. 6 was in Cinnaminson, New Jersey, about six miles from Camden. Of all the places we lived it is at the bottom of the list. Pa again had a job in orchards where various kinds of fruits were raised. The house was on a street with other houses quite nearby. That house to me was most unattractive, a greenish yellow in color. Just beyond us the Olivers lived. There were several boys who seemed very rough to me. I was really afraid of them. School was not far off and just beyond the Olivers.

It was in Cinnaminson where Lloyd acquired his first bicycle. I learned to ride and occasionally was allowed to go a short distance. I thoroughly enjoyed spinning along with my hair blowing in the breeze. Lloyd, on the other hand, took long rides. At times he would return later than Mom had expected. I know she was worried and I shared in the worry.

The one thing that brought me the most pleasure in Cinnaminson was the capturing of Japanese beetles. A well established nursery in the area was Dreers. They had imported iris bulbs from Japan and as a result, Japanese beetles gained a foothold in the country. In an effort to help stop the spreading, an agricultural laboratory in the vicinity offered the children of the area $.80 a quart for every quart of beetles they brought in. That was wonderful news to us. We were given permission to go anywhere for beetles and we did quite a bit of roaming. Our favorite spot was a small stream. Armed with cans in which a small amount of kerosene had been placed, we would walk through the nice cool water of the stream. Any beetles on vegetation overhanging the stream were flicked into our containers. I earned over twenty-five dollars. Lloyd received more. I'm not sure how Herbert and Donald fared but I know they were happy with what they got.